Ahmedabad's urban lakes are under threat, as outdated planning schemes by AUDA have led to the loss of significant waterbody areas. Early town planning models applied uniform land deductions even on lake beds, shrinking lakes in areas like Bopal, Vastrapur, Thaltej, and Memnagar. Vastrapur Lake alone lost over 22,000 sq m. Merged land parcels and unclear boundaries have triggered ownership disputes and complicated restoration. Despite AMC's updated planning norms, older legally binding maps have caused irreversible damage. A Gujarat government report noted a 46% decline in lake areas due to construction and encroachment. The National Green Tribunal has launched formal proceedings to address the crisis.Read more

IHG Hotels & Resorts has formalised a strategic partnership with Atithi Gokul Hotel Inns to develop a 150-room Holiday Inn in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2028, this new property will cater to the rising influx of business and leisure travellers in the city. The collaboration is expected to strengthen IHG's midscale presence in western India and aligns with its broader growth strategy in emerging urban markets. The company expressed confidence in its global reach and trusted brand to deliver solid returns for stakeholders.Read more

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is set to ban ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants from operating in residential areas due to their impact on air quality. Announced by standing committee chairman Devang Dani, the policy-expected within two months-will mandate relocation of these units to designated non-residential zones. This move follows the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority's new SOP for RMC units, requiring a minimum 3,500 sq. m. land area, GPCB NOC, and annual licensing. Non-compliant units face sealing and ?75,000 penalties. Temporary site-based permissions will be limited to construction duration. The initiative aims to balance infrastructure growth with public health and environmental protection.Read more

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is set to launch a self-assessment software that allows property owners to estimate future property tax liabilities for new constructions and property modifications. This step aims to simplify the property tax process by enabling taxpayers to receive preliminary tax calculations online before official validation. Alongside this, the AMC has witnessed considerable success with its advance property tax payment scheme, which has generated significant revenue and engaged over half a million citizens. The new software tool promises to bring transparency and ease to Ahmedabad's property tax system.Read more

SmartHomes Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., a key player in the development of Dholera Smart City, has recently secured official membership with CREDAI Ahmedabad GIHED, further cementing its status as a trusted real estate leader in Gujarat. With over a decade of experience, the company has successfully developed multiple large-scale integrated townships and pioneered landmark hospitality projects, including a collaboration with Marriott Hotels to introduce Dholera's first 5-star luxury hotel. This strategic alliance with CREDAI enhances SmartHomes' commitment to ethical practices, regulatory compliance, and collaboration, driving sustainable urban growth in India's first and largest Greenfield smart city.Read more

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has launched an INR 250 crore GIS project to geotag 24.46 lakh properties, fulfilling a key requirement for an INR 3,000 crore World Bank loan aimed at infrastructure upgrades. AMC called for both national and international proposals to design and manage a GIS-integrated MIS system. Despite prior fragmented efforts, AMC lacks an integrated GIS platform. Officials asserted that obsolete and scattered data necessitated the new initiative. Once completed, the GIS system will streamline access to information on roads, utilities, and properties, ensuring better planning and execution of projects like drainage, water supply, and sewage treatment facilities.Read more

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has reopened registrations for nine high-value plots, including five residential and four commercial sites, with a collective base price of INR 920.48 crore. These plots, located in areas such as Bodakdev, Thaltej, Motera, Chandkheda, Shilaj, Vatva, and Nikol, were previously unsold due to limited bidder interest. AMC aims to attract more competitive bids this time, drawing optimism from a successful sale in June 2024, where LuLu International Shopping Malls Pvt Ltd acquired a plot in Chandkheda for INR 519.41 crore.Read more

In a recent development, the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) approved a new SOP for setting up ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants, requiring operators to obtain licenses and adhere to pollution control measures. The authority also sanctioned 16 town planning schemes, including the redevelopment of Jaspur Lake and plantation work in Khoraj. Additionally, AUDA initiated reconstruction efforts for deteriorating housing under its urban poor housing scheme. These measures are part of Gujarat's ongoing efforts to enhance urban infrastructure and development.Read more

In Ahmedabad, development rights for a riverfront plot along Vallabh Sadan have increased by INR 8,824 per square metre over three months, reaching INR 26,000 per square metre in November 2024. A new request for proposal (RFP) for a food park at another Vallabh Sadan plot now sets the base price at INR 32,500 per square metre, according to the Sabarmati Riverfront Land Disposal Policy. Additionally, LuLu International Shopping Malls Pvt Ltd recently acquired a plot in Chandkheda along SP Ring Road for INR 519 crore via an online auction by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.Read more

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has launched its annual property tax rebate scheme, which includes interest waivers to encourage timely payments. Residential property owners who pay their dues between mid- and late March will receive a 100% interest waiver, while commercial property owners will receive a 75% waiver. This initiative is expected to generate over INR 250 crore in revenue.Read more

Ahmedabad is witnessing rapid growth in skyscraper construction, with a new 150-metre commercial tower planned near Nirma University, set to become the city's tallest building. This development is part of a larger trend of vertical expansion, driven by regulatory changes that have increased the Floor Space Index (FSI) in key areas. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has approved 23 buildings over 100 metres, while the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) has cleared six, with more under review. Other cities like Surat, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara are also seeing high-rise projects. With ongoing policy support and rising demand, Ahmedabad is emerging as a skyscraper hub in Gujarat.Read more

Unlike previous years, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has yet to announce its annual property tax interest waiver scheme, leading to uncertainty among taxpayers. Meanwhile, AMC's South West Zone sealed 477 properties, recovering INR 41 lakh in a single day, while illegal constructions at Gurukrupa Estate were demolished. The western zone saw a 5.95% drop in tax revenue, attributed to reassessment delays. Other cities like Nagpur and Ulhasnagar have introduced penalty waiver schemes to boost tax compliance. The delay in AMC's announcement could impact revenue collections as taxpayers wait for possible rebates.Read more

Ahmedabad's CID (crime) branch has arrested Raman Patel, owner of Popular Builders, for his alleged involvement in a decades-old land scam. The case stems from a 2024 complaint by Kanu Thakor, who accused Patel and others of fraudulently acquiring his ancestral land in Makarba using forged documents, including a fake death certificate. Investigations revealed that the land transfer in 1986 was illegal, as the deceased had passed away in 1980. Patel, who has a history of legal troubles, is in police custody until March 11. Authorities aim to uncover a larger land scam network through this case.Read more

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has sealed 2,338 properties across the city in a major property tax recovery drive, collecting INR 90.57 lakh in a single day. The southwest zone saw 466 properties sealed, recovering INR 32.70 lakh, while 1,872 properties in the eastern zone contributed INR 57.87 lakh. Property owners failing to pay taxes face water and sewer disconnections. However, complaints about wrongful sealing on Ashram Road have surfaced. Other cities like Bengaluru and Gurgaon have also strengthened tax collection efforts, with AMC planning a 5% annual tax hike and digitized payment systems for transparency.Read more

Ahmedabad is set to implement new waste management regulations from October, requiring large housing societies and commercial complexes to manage their waste independently. Establishments generating over 100 kg of waste daily will be classified as bulk waste generators (BWGs) and must adopt decentralised waste processing methods. The initiative aims to reduce Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's (AMC) waste collection costs and streamline disposal. Simultaneously, AMC has intensified property tax recovery efforts, sealing thousands of properties and reclaiming crores in unpaid dues. Additionally, the corporation has cracked down on illegal constructions and encroachments while offering rebates for early tax payments to incentivise compliance.Read more

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is struggling with illegal dumping of construction waste, particularly near lakes, despite its 25 designated waste sites and cleanup initiatives. Delays in AMC's INR 200-per-trip collection service have led to rampant nighttime dumping in areas like Koteshwar, Memnagar, and Gota, impacting the environment. Plans for a C&D waste processing plant in Gota were scrapped, with a new facility now under development at Gyaspur sewage farm. Residents urge better enforcement, awareness, and improved waste management strategies as Ahmedabad works to curb the growing problem and protect its 122 lakes from pollution.Read more

In a recent board meeting, the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA) implemented a twofold increase in fees for crucial development plan documents. Charges for DP and TP part plan documents rose from INR 500 to INR 1,000, while base map fees escalated from INR 2,000 to INR 4,000. Similarly, fees for measurement sheets and final plot F forms have also been revised. The meeting also saw the introduction of an online system for RTI applications and document requests, along with the approval of consultations for 18 TP schemes. These changes are expected to streamline processes while adjusting costs to current operational requirements.Read more